Glasto may not have taken place this year, but anyone with an interest in licensing – from the most passionate licensee to a retailer with a curiousity to find out more about hundreds of leading brands – are heading over to the Festival of Licensing, which got underway this morning.
A record 11,000 meeting requests were made ahead of the Brand Licensing Europe show opening its virtual doors as part of Festival of Licensing with leading names from the greeting card industry among them.
All in, Festival of Licensing will run until October 29. This week – October 6-8 – focuses on Europe, followed by Asia from October 14-15 and the Americas from October 23-25. It will culminate with the global c-suite and executive-level virtual conference, Licensing Leadership Summit.
Scribbler, Danilo, Hallmark Cards, Moonpig, Tesco and Asda are among the thousands who are registered for the online event which will see presentations and product showcases from many leading brands, from the worlds of entertainment, heritage, design, FMCG and sports fields all looking for licensing partnerships.
Among those who will be showcasing highlights and updates on plans from their respective virtual booths, joining leading names such as Aardman, Acamar Films, BBC Studios, Bravado, Penguin Ventures, Hasbro/eOne, Magic Light Pictures, National Gallery, Smiley World and ViacomCBS Consumer Products to name a few.
The Smiley Company’s ceo, Nicolas Loufrani, opened proceedings this morning with his live keynote entitled Reaffirming Purpose Through Positivity, Creativity and Connection.
Other keynotes following this week include executives from Banijay, Formula 1 and Team GB, while there is also a host of on-demand content, as well as a Community & Wellbeing programme (sponsored by ViacomCBS Consumer Products) and Hasbro Happy Hours events to allow people to catch up (safely) with their industry peers.
Festival goers are also invited to grab some clay (try Newplast, Fimo, Play-Doh, Plasticine or even make your own), toothpicks, baby wipes, download your worksheet/s and get ready to model their very own Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, or Morph character.
“Between 6-8 October, thousands of retailers, licensees and brands will be taking part in a completely reimagined, virtual BLE,” said Anna Knight, vp of licensing, Informa Markets which owns and is organising the Festival of Licensing. “But while the format may have changed, and we will be meeting online from the comfort of our own homes rather than at ExCeL, attendees can still expect to meet the same amazing brands, discover tonnes of new IP, soak in the same high quality, thought-provoking content, and enjoy being part of the same brilliant European licensing community.”
Visitors can register for free at www.festivaloflicensing.com.
Top: BBC Studios is among the many brands who are participating in the Festival of Licensing.
